jee wiiz mao is doing fine; it is not like she has no triples lets come down on the puberty monster

Um - did you WATCH the video of either the practice or that comp a week or so ago? If Mao were say - BB - then I'd agree but its scary when a hardcore contender looks so "off" a day before hitting competition ice. I agree she has some triples, but at that level, she's gonna need ALL the triples to compete.

Originally Posted by R.D.

kinda my point. And why is puberty a "monster" anyway? It's something that happens. One just has to adjust to it.

Blaming puberty is the latest form of "her dog ate her homework." just an excuse. All the skaters go through puberty and some don't do as well as other but a coach once told me there's only one cure for the puberty blues: WORK HARDER. (gosh, I'm cranky today...)

I too am just waiting for reports from the other disciplines, in particular dance.

Hopefully I'll get some work done today, lol.

On a serious note, I really am worried about the pressure Mao's receiving from the Japanese press, but she *must* rise above it, this is part of being a champion. Yet despite all that I cannot help feeling sorry for her.

As a country, Japan tops the list when it comes to teenage suicides, wherein the youngster studies hard & does not get into thee presitigious university. The pressure to be p-e-r-f-e-c-t is moreso in Japan than any other country IMHO. Korea's right behind. Here's an article about it:http://www.cbc.ca/news/viewpoint/vp_.../20040527.html

I honestly feel that Japan would have won more Olympic Gold Medals if they didn't pressure their athletes so much (e.g. Midori Ito).

I'm glad I'm an American, my country doesn't expect me to be perfect.

GOOD LUCK, MAO!!!!

P.S. kudos to Yuna Kim, she looks like a World Champion, and seems to be dealing with the pressure like a champion. Though I'm a Mao Fan, I cannot help but admire this.

I only saw bits of her new LP from Japan Open on YouTube, but I thought that was an odd choice of music.

I don't know why they went with that particular piece (and their SP as well), but I think that is DEFINITELY A CHALLENGE for her to execute the programs that do not seem to highlight her usual bright, airy qualities, in an Olympic year, no less.

In my view, she is challenging herself to go out of her comfort zone, whether it was her decision or not.

However, technically though, not fixing her lutz and instead going a bit overboard with the triple axels seem more of a desperate last resort.
Based on these clips of her underrotating or falling on 3A, that's a risky move.

Mao just seems a bit down on herself and tired, for some reason.
Is that due to the puberty like some have said, or is she over trained and stressed out or something?

Whatever the situation is with her, I hope to see her smiling face soon.

I don't want to sound all anti Mao in what I'm saying. Because I love Mao's skating. But I think there's a difference between challenging yourself, and making not great choices.

I love that Mao is doing away with pretty pretty princess programs. But I think there is all kinds of music that would be different from her and yes challenging because of the type of moods she can convey, that Mao is currently NOT trying.

I'd love to see Mao have a program where she put together dramatic Mao and lighter Mao, something that hasn't happened which I think would actually be challenging for her, and would also allow her to highlight her strengths.

I think not highlighting your strengths is a not very smart strategy...Surely there's a way to challenge yourself artistically while showcasing your strengths.

In the case of Mao though my biggest feeling is challenge is good and stuff, I think that consistency is important too. I feel like Mao is always moving to the latest trick, and I think she would be very well served it she took a deep breath stopped and started just working on perfecting the tricks she already has...

Instead of working on a triple axel/triple toe, why not work on getting her triple flip/triple toe consistent? Then once she has that consistent and solid, then put effort on moving to the triple axel/triple toe. I.e triple flip/triple toe and a solid triple loop could be a winning short program plan for Mao. I mean its awesome that Mao wants to do all these cool skills but it seems like the cool skills are at the expense of her consistency and at the expense of winning.

I do wish though there were clips of Kostner, I have a feeling she could be a big factor at this competition.

I don't want to sound all anti Mao in what I'm saying. Because I love Mao's skating. But I think there's a difference between challenging yourself, and making not great choices.

Yeah, I see what you mean. That's a valid point.

If Mao truly believes herself that these choices she and her team have made for this season are the best ones for her, then regardless of whether we the fans and the critics might view them as mistakes or not, I wish her the best of luck.

But somehow I just get the impression that she might not be all that happy with the current circumstances.